Sleeping garment for infants



P 1953 G. R. BUCHHOLZ I 2,651,781

SLEEPING GARMENT FOR INFANTS Filed April 26, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR GEORGIA R. BUCHHOLZ.

A T TORNE Y.

P 1953 G. R. BUCHHOLZ SLEEPING GARMENT FOR INFANTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 26, 1949 INVEN TORT GEORGIA. R. BUCHHOLZ.

A TTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 15, 1953 UN I TED PATENT FF 1 CE SLEEPING GARMENT FOR INFANTS Georgia B.;Buchholz, San Francisco, Calif. Application Apr-i126, 1949., Serial No. 89,613

8Claims. '1

This invention :relates to new and useful improvements in sleeping garment for infants and consists primarily of the combination of a support portion fitting around the crotch of thefinfant and a sleeping bag, the support portion and bag being attached together :at the chest and shoulders. The use of the support, which may be of "the nature of an undergarment, and bag and the attachment thereof accomplishes one of the principal objects of the invention, namely, the provision of a safe, warm covering for an infant which affords a maximum of freedom of movement. Thus, the infant may :roll over, sit or stand without danger of exposure and further without danger of strangulation, smothering or entanglement.

Another object and advantage of the invention is the facility and speed with which diapers may be changed, and further the fact that the chest of the infant is not exposed during changing.

A further advantage of the invention is "that several types of undergarments may be used in conjunction with the sleeping bag portion and that the undergarment portions may be interchanged.

Still another feature of the invention is its serviceability in transporting the infant on short trips, for the sleeping bag portion and support portion may be rapidly and easily attached and detached.

Other objects of the present invention will -become apparent upon reading the following specification and refer-ring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the garment when completely closed, the support portion being shown in dotted'lines.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the bag portion opened for access to the support portion.

Fig. 3 'is a view similar to Fig. "2 and showing a modified undergarment.

Fig. 4 is a section along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5-6 of Fig. 2.

As has been stated, the invention contemplates the use of a support portion which, for convenience will be referred to as an undergarment which fits relatively snugly about the body of the infant and in particular includes a portion passing under the crotch and a sleeping bag portion fitting quite loosely, there being buttons or similar means of attachment at the chest and shoulders connecting the undergarment and bag together. Thus, the bag portion is removable at will, and the undergarment may be changed as required and difierent types of undergarments used as occasion demands. The attachment of the two elements together prevents smothering or strangulation of the child, dangers of which exist .in the use of "other types of sleeping bags.

The sleeping bag portion of the invention will he first described. It will be understood that it is pref rably fashioned of a warm material, is of a l ngth and width sufficient to permit freedom of movement for the arms and legs of the infant and is faced with an attractive fabric. The bottom of the sack-like garment is provided, preferably, with a seam H entirely across the bottom which. closes off the .lower end. It will be understood that, if desired, this seam might be eliminated and a skirt-like garment provided. A neck 12 opening at the center of the top of the garment and arm holes 13 adjacent the tops of the sides permit the head and arms of the child to extend outside the sleeping bag. Sleeves (not shown) may be fitted into the arm holes i3, if desired. An opening M affording access to the interior of the bag is provided in the center down the front. The upperportion of the center opening is closed by a plurality of buttons it (three, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings) afiixed to the undergarment, and a corresponding number of thread loops I "I, formed preferably of elastic material, and arranged to fit over the buttons It on each side of the center opening of the bag. The loops fitting over the buttons close off the portion of the bag which extends from the neck to about the waist of he infant. The lower portion of the bag may be closed by a slide fastener l8, snaps, or additional buttons, if desired, but preferably by use of :a slide fastener as illustrated herein. The buttons It Over the chest of the child in addition to closing the top part of the center opening l4 furher are used for attachment to the undergarmen hereinafter described, to the bag and likewise buttons 2! are attached at the shoulders of the undergarment which fit through button holes 22 in "the shoulder portion of the bag.

A's will hereinafter appear, the undergarment portion of the ensemble is fairly snugly fitted to the body of the infant. "Since the bag is fixed to the undergarment at the chest and shoulders, the bag :turns with the child as he moves around, but there is complete freedom .of movement of the limbs within the bag. Further, it .is impossible for the child to smother or strangle by moving down inside the bag, for such movement is prevented by the mode of attachment of the supporting undergarment to the bag.

The support or undergarment '25, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, consists of an integral band which starts at the shoulders at the back, comes down the back, under the crotch and terminates in a tongue 26 at the chest. Holes 21 are provided at the bottom of the garment for the legs. Buttons It are fixed to the tongue and these are the buttons which receive the loops ll of the bag, as heretofore described. Buttons 2i are also provided in the corners of the back portion 28 which fit within buttonholes 22 in the back shoulder portion of the bag. Thus, in cooperation with the bag, the undergarment is secured to the body of the infant, and the infant is positioned within the bag but with suflicient freedom of movement of the limbs. The undergarment may readily be changed for laundering and a new undergarment substituted. The edges of the band and leg-holes are provided with roll seams 29 and 39, respectively, to reduce chafing.

The undergarment illustrated in Fig. 3 constitutes a separable shirt 4| and waterproof pants 42 which may be used independently of the sleeping bag, but the undergarment is provided with buttons I6 over the chest and buttons 2| at the rear of the shoulders which fit into the loops I! and buttonholes 22, respectively, and hence function to position the infant within the sleeping bag in the same fashion as do the corresponding buttons of the preceding modification.

The undergarment, as shown consists of two pieces, a shirt 4| and a waterproof pants 42 section. The shirt 4| covers the body of the infant above the waist and opens in the front of the body. Preferably, the shirt overlaps at the front, and. the buttons l6 are attached to the underflap 43 which pass through buttonholes 44 in the upper flap 46. These buttons are engaged by the loops ll of the sleeping bag. The topmost button is immediately under the neck line 4?, the lowermost slightly above the waistband 48 and the third button intermediate the other two. The waist is also closed along the side by means of snap fasteners 5| at the waist, snap fastener 52 opposite the armpit and loop 53 and button 2| at the shoulder. Button 2| passes through buttonhole 22 in the bag, and another button 2| is situated in a corresponding position on the right shoulder.

The lower section of the undergarment is preferably formed of transparent waterproof material and fits around the diaper or may be a holder for a disposable diaper pad. This section is either permanently or detachably connected to the waistband 48 of the shirt at the front and rear by fastener elements 55 and 55 on the shirt and pants, respectively; thus the pants 42 portion passes around the crotch of the infant and is secured front and rear to the waistband 4B of the shirt. The width of the garment is reduced at the crotch for comfort, as indicated by numeral 56. Further, snap fastener elements 51 are provided at the flared portions so as to provide ample fullness for a diaper; similarly darts 58 are formed to give additional fullness at the seat.

It will be seen that changing of the diaper is facilitated by this construction, for the snap fasteners 55 and 51 may quickly be separated and refastened after the diaper is changed. Further, either the upper 4| or lower 42 portion of the undergarment may be changed with ease in the event that fasteners are employed front and rear to attach the pants 42 to the waistband 48 of the shirt 4|. While changing the diaper, the infant's chest remains covered and fully protected.

It will be understood that the construction of this modification of the undergarment is subject to considerable variation. For example, instead of employing both buttons I6 and snaps 5| and 52 to close the flaps 43 and 46 of the shirt, only centrally disposed buttons I6 might be employed. Alternatively, instead of the buttons I6 extending through the holes 44, they may be sewed only onto the outside of the shirt, and the fasteners 5| and 52 alone employed to close the '4 shirt. Sleeves 6|) for the shirt may be used or eliminated, as desired.'

The structure of the pants 42 is likewise capable of variation in design, but preferably this portion should be securely attached to the shirt 1 and should pass under the crotch so that when the shirt is secured to the bag the infant is positioned in the bag.

In using the garment, the undergarment is first put on the infant as has been indicated, and when it is desired because of low temperatures to use the bag, the baby is placed inside the bag with arms extending through armholes I3. But tons 2| on the undergarment are extended through buttonholes 22 and loops I! on each side of the front opening M of the bag are fitted around buttons IE on the undergarment. The slide fastener I8 is then closed.

If it becomes necessary to change the infants diaper, the slide fastener I8 is opened, and the snap fasteners 55 separated to provide access. Thus, it is unnecessary to expose the chest of the infant to the cold.

The invention has been described in rather complete detail by way of reference to example and illustration for purposes of clarity of understanding, but various changes and modifications in use, designand assembly may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An infants sleeping garment comprising a supporting undergarment, said undergarment extending from the rear of the shoulders of the infant, down under the crotch defining leg openings and up to the chest, first fastening elements on said undergarment over the chest, second fastening elements at each shoulder of said undergarment, a sleeping bag having a central opening extending down the front, third fastening elements on said bag over the chest and fourth fastening elements on said bag at each shoulder, said third and fourth fastening elements cooperable with said first and second fastening elements to permit attachment of said undergarment to said sleeping bag interiorly thereof, the crotch portion of said garment located approximately midway between the top and bottom extremities of the sleeping bag.

2. An infant's sleeping garment comprising a supporting undergarment, said undergarment extending from the rear of the shoulders of the infant, down under the crotch defining leg openings and. up to the chest, first fastening elements on said undergarment over the chest, second fastening elements at each shoulder of said undergarment, a sleeping bag having a central opening extending down the front, third fastening elements on said bag over the chest and fourth fastening elements on said bag at each shoulder, said first fastening elements cooperating with said third fastening elements to close the upper portion of said central opening and independent fastening means for the lower portion of said central opening, the crotch portion of said garment located approximately midway between the top and bottom extremities of the sleeping bag.

3. An infants garment comprising a support portion extending from the rear of the shoulders, down the back, under the crotch defining leg openings and up to the chest, fastening elements at the upper back of said support portion, at least one button on said support portion over the chest, a bag portion having openings for the neck and arms and a medial opening down the front, the

arm openings being positioned in the front of the bag on each side of the medial opening and adjacent to the top of said bag, fastening elements on the back of said bag portion cooperating with said first mentioned fastening elements when engaged to secure the upper back portions of said support and bag portions together, loops at either edge of the upper region of said medial opening arranged to engage said button and when engaged to secure the upper front portions of said support and bag portions together, the crotch portion of said garment located approximately midway between the top and bottom extremities of the sleeping bag.

4. An infants garment comprising a support portion extending from the rear of the shoulders, down the back, under the crotch defining leg openings and up to the chest, fastening elements at the upper back of said support portion, at least one button on said support portion over the chest, a bag portion having openings for the neck and arms and a medial opening down the front, the arm openings being positioned in the front of the bag on each side of the medial opening and adjacent to the top of said bag, fastening elements on the back of said bag portion cooperating with said first mentioned fastening elements when engaged to secure the upper back portions of said support and bag portions together, loops at either edge of the upper region of said medial opening arranged to engage said button and when engaged to secure the upper front portions of said support and bag portions together and to close the upper region of said medial opening, the crotch portion of said garment located approximately midway between the top and bottom extremities of the sleeping bag.

5. An infants garment comprising a support portion extending from the rear of the shoulders, down the back, under the crotch defining leg openings and up to the chest, fastening elements at the upper back of said support portion, at least one button on said support portion over the chest, a bag portion having openings for the neck and. arms and a media1 opening down the front, the arm openings being positioned in the front of the bag on each side of the medial opening and adjacent to the top of said bag, fastening elements on the back of said bag portion cooperating with said first mentioned fastening elements when engaged to secure the upper back portions of said support and bag portions together, loops at either edge of the upper region of said medial opening arranged to engage said button and when engaged to secure the upper front portions of said support and bag portions together and to close the upper region of said medial opening, and a slide fastener arranged to close the lower region of said medial opening overlying the lower portion of said support portion, the crotch portion of said garment located approximately midway between the top and bottom extremities of the sleeping bag.

6. An infants garment comprising a support portion including a shirt and pants having leg openings, buttons on said shirt over the chest, fastening elements at the upper back of said shirt, said pants being arranged to extend from front to rear of the waist of said shirt and under the crotch, and means for securing removably said pants front and rear to said shirt; a sleeping bag portion having a medial opening down the front, fastening elements on the back of said bag portion cooperating with said first mentioned fastening elements when engaged to attach the 6 back portions of said shirt and bag together, loops at either edge of the upper part of said medial opening arranged to engage said buttons and when engaged to secure the chest portion of said shirt and said bag together, and other fastening means arranged to close the lower part of said medial opening overlying the pants portion of said support portion, the crotch portion of said pants being located approximately midway between the top and bottom extremities of the sleeping bag portion.

7. An infants garment comprising a support portion including a shirt and pants having leg openings, buttons on said shirt over the chest, fastening elements at the upper back of said shirt, said pants being arranged to extend from front to rear of the waist of said shirt and under the crotch, and means for securing said pants front and rear to said shirt; a sleeping bag portion having a neck and arm openings and a medial opening down the front, said arm openings positioned in the front of said bag portion on each side of said medial opening and adjacent to the top of the bag, fastening elements on the back of said bag portion cooperating with said first mentioned fastening elements when engaged to attach the back portions of said shirt and bag together, loops at either edge of the upper part of said medial opening arranged to engage said buttons and when engaged to secure the chest portion of said shirt and of said bag together to close the upper part of said medial opening, and a slide fastener arranged to close the lower part of said medial opening overlying the pants portion of said support portion, the crotch portion of said pants being located approximately midway between the top and bottom extremities of the sleeping bag portion.

8. An infants support for use in conjunction with an enveloping sleeping bag having a front closure including at least one first fastening element over the chest and at least one second fastening element adjacent the top of the back portion thereof, said support having leg openings and comprising a back portion, a crotch portion and a chest portion, a third fastening element adjacent the top of the back portion and a fourth fastening element over the chest on said front portion, said third fastening element being engaged with said second fastening element and said fourth fastening element being engaged with said first fastening element so that when said fastening elements are engaged the support portion is anchored to the sleeping bag interiorly thereof, the crotch portion of said support being located approximately midway between the top and bottom extremities of said sleeping bag.

GEORGIA R. BUCHHOLZ.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,075,010 Casebolt Oct. '7, 1913 1,260,873 Colman Mar. 26, 1918 1,931,331 Staw Oct. 17, 1933 2,028,602 Hanson Jan. 21, 1936 2,151,434 Malah Mar. 21, 1939 2,306,154 Bryant Dec. 22, 1942 2,444,652 Joyce July 6, 1948 2,462,165 Condon Feb. 22, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 19,900 Great Britain Sept. 12, 1896 10,119 Great Britain May 15, 1901 

